SEA TRANSPORT. 359 



will be given, and the horse is to be rapidly run up from the ground to 

 the necessary height, and then carefully lowered down to the hatchway. 

 Two or three men should be stationed at the hatchway and between 

 decks, to guide the horse when being lowered. 



Timid or restive horses may be blindfolded. 



Accidents in slinging. — The only probable accidents are : from the Accidents 

 horse slipping out of the sling and falling on the quay ; or from being ^'?. . 

 injured as the result of struggling on first reaching the deck. ^ ing'ng- 



Slipping out of the sling may happen if the quarter rope is not 

 securely and tightly fastened. Horses always slip out backwards, not 

 forwards. The liability to slipping is increased if the head is not held 

 steady, but if this is attended to and the animal well "trussed" in by the 

 breast and quarter ropes, the operation is practically without risk. 



On first reaching the deck, horses land all abroad, and as soon as they 

 feel their feet make a bound forward and struggle unless they are firmly 

 held by the head. A reliable man should therefore be selected for this 

 post, and care should be taken to provide a good foothold and soft bed 

 for the landing. 



Enibarki7ig from lighters. — If the lighters can come alongside a pier, Embark- 

 a gangway is used as for walking on board. On an open beach each if^ ivom 

 lighter must have a ramp which lets down on the shore with suitable cross "&"ters. 

 battens to prevent slipping. Sand or shingle is used to bed the end of 

 the ramp and to secure foothold. Horses pack best if placed athwart 

 the boat, alternately heads and tails. A man is required for each horse. 

 On reaching the ship's side, slinging is carried out as previously described, 

 and however crowded, sufficient room must be reserved on each boat to 

 permit of the first horse being slung without danger. 



Ejnbaiking by swimming is rarely necessary, but if it has to be done Embark- 

 the slings must be tightly secured on each animal before entering the i"g ^y 

 water. ^^^^"- 



This is done by stitching them along the back with yarn so that they "^^"^' 

 fit the body closely and will not sag downwards when in the water. If 

 this precaution is not observed, the horse is likely to get a hind leg caught 

 in the slack whilst swimming, and drown. The breast and quarter ropes 

 are securely fastened, and a long rope, about 8 yards, is passed round 

 the top of neck and fastened rather tightly just behind the jaw, with an 

 overhand knot to prevent it slipping. The ropes of the ship's head 

 collar may be looped round the neck to prevent entanglement. The horse 

 is then led into the water as far as he can walk towards the boat, and a 

 man in the stern receives the rope and immediately reeves it through the 

 stern ring of the boat to secure additional power in the event of the horse 

 (b 10948) R 2 



